TimeSplitters 4 in jeopardy as Haze dev buckles
- Posted January 1st, 2009 at 09:08 EDT by Steven Williamson
- 2,972 views
- 20 Comments
Nottingham-based Free Radical Design, whose work includes the TimeSplitters series and the first-person PS3 exclusive shooter, Haze, has lost almost 80 percent of its workforce as the company went into administration over the Christmas period, confirms Cameron Gunn, of Resolve Partners.
The firm was placed into administration on December 18, 2008 when employees reportedly turned up at work to discover that the locks had been changed. The only thing left notifying them of what to do was a note asking them to attend an emergency meeting at a nearby hotel.
Following talks over the Christmas period, This is Derbyshire, has today revealed that 145 staff have lost their jobs and now only 40 employees remain at the company. Their future is also uncertain unless a buyer comes in to rescue the developer.
Resolve Partners claim that a number of publishers have shown an interest in Free Radical Design.
"We are inviting all interested parties to come forward. Significant interest has already been shown and we are hoping to make further announcements by the middle of January."
It's likely that if there is a buyout either Ubisoft, Codemasters or EA, who have all worked closely with Free Radical in the past, will be at the front of the queue. Our money's on the latter coming forward to further tighten its grip on the industry.
For the time being we can safely assume that all of Free Radicals' projects will be put on hold, and unless someone swoops in to buy the company, TimeSplitters 4 and a sequel/prequel to Haze may never see the light of day.
Comments
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lordAlucard |
Sympozium_666- 9:55am GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 2
That's what you get for overhyping a Game that now almost every PS3 gamer hates. But Timespilters 4 should've been made instead of Haze It wouldn't be in this situation
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JMelillo57 |
jmelillo57- 11:00am GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 4
Damn I was looking forward to TimeSplitter4.
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Girugamesh |
Shidousha- 2:04pm GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 7
My friend said he'd pick up a PS3 if TimeSplitters 4 was a PS3 exclusive. It's apparently like his second favorite franchise of all time.
So here's for hoping the company gets bought and has a little funding on their hands.
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teevanator |
teevanator- 2:26pm GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 8
EA will swallow this whole dont worry people
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Ballonboy33
- 6:16pm GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 12
i think this has something 2 do with microsoft, along with a previous psu report that claimed there would be no more ps3 exclusives unless they r made b sony. i think microsoft r probably trying 2 boycott all companies who r against them - join us or be destroyed sorta thing. who ever does take over free radical design had better make sure it remains a company that only makes games 4 ps3. also notice that no 1 has provided psu with an explanation 4 this strange happening
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JstuFly |
JstuFly- 7:57pm GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 13
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I'll get over it... -
DemonOfRazgriz07 |
DemonOfRazgriz07- 8:25pm GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 14
NOOOOOOOO! TimeSplitters 4 MUST make it! but EA better not pick them up... i dont' want anymore crap games...
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clipnotdone
- 11:03pm GMT - January 1st, 2009
- 15
I dont know whats worse, Free Radical being dead or owned by EA...
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stovich |
TasteLikeBurning- 12:09pm GMT - January 2nd, 2009
- 17
Too many people on the Haze hate-wagon. It may not have been the best, but it certainly wasn't the worst. At least it didn't use the unreal engine(Blacksite or Legendary to name a couple). Sure it may not have been a true HD experience, but it was far from terrible in comparison. Back on topic: The least desireable company is unfortunately better poised for pouncing. Shame.
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grayfox1471 |
SaintGeorge14- 7:34pm GMT - January 2nd, 2009
- 18
@ 17.
You're right. Haze isn't the worst game in the world. In fact, my girlfriend's quite fond of it. At the very least, it's not bad enough to bring down a great developer like Free Radical. There are so many poor games out there that haven't destroyed their respective developers. It's a shame. -
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BayBud
- 5:17pm GMT - January 4th, 2009
- 20
It's sad when any company goes through these troubles.
However that being said, Haze was a crock of $hyte, the software company os already packed to the rafters, if you CAN"T make a decent product in the marketplace then the market place dictates you die.
Simply Darwinism: adapt or die.
It is said though, lets hope all the devs managed to find some other place to hopefully go on and make better titles.
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